‘Champion' of spoken word to be remembered

A new trophy will be presented at this year’s Manx Music, Speech and Dance Festival in memory of a woman who inspired generations of Islanders to participate.

The Pat Corrin Memorial Trophy will be awarded to the overall winner of the children’s Spoken Word classes.

Pat, who passed away in September last year, dedicated more than 40 years of her life to supporting the Festival, affectionately known as the Guild, and created a number of new innovative speech classes for the event.

Festival Vice Chairman Anne Clarke said: ‘Pat Corrin made an enormous contribution to both the Manx Music Festival and to drama on the Island generally. Not only did she play an important role in the Guild’s history by developing the speech and drama classes and introducing new ones such as Choral Speaking and Group Theme competitions, but she spent hours choosing suitable set pieces.

‘Over the years, hundreds of her pupils entered as competitors, learning new skills and building confidence for their careers and personal challenges. She really was a champion of the Spoken Word and helped public speakers of all ages with their delivery, as well as providing nervous performers with the confidence to get to their feet.

‘Indeed, without her, the Spoken Word classes may have ceased so it felt fitting to recognise her loyal service by creating a new high-level competition which is a finale for children’s performances of Spoken Word.’

On Friday 3rd May in the Villa Marina, Promenade Suite, the overall winner of the final will receive the Pat Corrin Memorial Trophy which has been created using a silver angel from a former Guild trophy.

Dandara Group Managing Director Seamus Nugent added: ‘The Manx Music, Speech and Dance Festival has a long and illustrious history.

‘Pat Corrin clearly played a key part in that history and helped shape the Guild. It is fitting this new trophy will perpetuate her name, long standing association and contribution to the Festival.’